Intertwining Indoor and Outdoor Living – The Boatshed by Dalecki Design

Defined by a sense of flow and a seamless transition between inside and out, The Boatshed perfectly encapsulates the outdoor lifestyle typical of Mullaloo, the Western Australian coastal town where the residence is located. In this way, building designer Janik Dalecki of Dalecki Design encourages an intermingling of indoor and outdoor spaces – ultimately combining the concept of home with a healthy way of living.

Approaching Dalecki Design with a desire to create a modest yet modern dwelling, the client wanted a space that would bring their family together and help facilitate a healthy, active lifestyle. In order to combine this outdoor way of life with everyday rituals, Dalecki Design reimagined the layout of a typical Australian home. An innovative ground floor plan folds around the rear, whilst the backyard is designed to be used – a large grass lawn sits where one would typically find an alfresco dining area, providing room for entertaining and socialising. There is also an oversized carport that houses the beloved family boat, which gives the residence its namesake.

In order to combine this outdoor way of life with everyday rituals, Dalecki Design reimagined the layout of a typical Australian home.

There is a tangible connection between the outdoors and indoors, enabled by a sensitive response to the site ensuring mature trees were retained and deftly incorporated into the landscaping. The outdoors can be accessed from almost every room in the home, creating a constant and seamless indoor-outdoor ebb and flow. For example, the light-filled children’s bedrooms open directly onto the backyard, meaningfully connecting the interior and exterior spaces and inviting daily engagement with the yard. Similarly, sliding doors in the living room invite constant movement between both spaces.

Further celebrating the omnipresence of the surrounding landscape is the way the home is designed to welcome natural light and frame views of the garden beyond. Large openings at key viewpoints frame views of the garden and offer sweeping vistas across treetops. Similarly, strategically placed operable clerestory and louvre windows fill interior spaces with diffused natural light and draw coastal breezes through the dwelling. The ensuite to the main bedroom has a skylight over the double shower, once again reminding the inhabitants of the outdoors at every opportunity.

The outdoors can be accessed from almost every room in the home, creating a constant and seamless indoor-outdoor ebb and flow.

A contemporary, coastal interior aesthetic ties in beautifully with the biophilic design approach. A restrained colour palette, sleek lines, functional design and a simple application of materials and form reinforce the seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces with ease. Bold black and white textured surfaces are offset by timber accents that add warmth, whilst charred timber feature walls subtly unite interior and exterior spaces. A celebration of outdoor living and the Western Australian coastal lifestyle, The Boatshed provides the quintessential backdrop for Australian family living.